International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) Trading 0.7% Higher - Should You Buy?

International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) shares were up 0.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $240.80 and last traded at $240.19. Approximately 919,738 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 78% from the average daily volume of 4,202,863 shares. The stock had previously closed at $238.57.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on IBM shares. Erste Group Bank raised shares of International Business Machines from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on International Business Machines from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Wedbush assumed coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, International Business Machines has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $232.75.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $247.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $233.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $221.10 billion, a PE ratio of 37.20, a PEG ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.77 by $0.15. International Business Machines had a net margin of 9.60% and a return on equity of 38.99%. Research analysts expect that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $1.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $6.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.80%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio is currently 104.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Robert David Thomas sold 26,543 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $253.01, for a total transaction of $6,715,644.43. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,007 shares in the company, valued at $11,387,221.07. The trade was a 37.10 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.18% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of International Business Machines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Passumpsic Savings Bank increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Passumpsic Savings Bank now owns 2,045 shares of the technology company's stock worth $452,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the third quarter worth $766,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its position in International Business Machines by 12.2% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 919 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $188,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. grew its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 3,140 shares of the technology company's stock worth $694,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Finally, Diamant Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in International Business Machines by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,610 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $356,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Business Machines Company Profile

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate.